Adventure Details 

SCHEDULE

Session 1: 8 days

  • Saturday, May 18 – Arrive in Yerevan and check into hotel.

  • Sunday, May 19 – Van pickup at 10am to begin touring.

  • Sunday-Tuesday, May 19-21 – Tour Yerevan and sites in surrounding area 

  • Wednesday, May 22 - Drive to Gyumri to begin touring Shirak region

  • Wed. afternoon-Sat. morning, May 22-25 – Tour historic sites & learn traditional skills

  • Saturday, May 25 – Leave Gyumri for Yerevan after lunch 

  • Sunday, May 26 – Depart Yerevan 

Session 2: 8 days

  • Saturday, Sept 28 – Arrive in Yerevan and check into hotel.

  • Sunday, Sept 29 – Van pickup at 10am to begin touring.

  • Sunday-Tuesday, Sept 29-Oct 1 – Tour Yerevan and sites in surrounding area 

  • Wednesday, Oct 2 - Drive to Gyumri to begin touring Shirak region

  • Wed. afternoon-Sat. morning, Oct 2-5 – Tour historic sites & learn traditional skills

  • Saturday, Oct 5 – Leave Gyumri for Yerevan after lunch 

  • Sunday, Oct 6 – Depart Yerevan 

PROJECT ORGANIZER & PARTNER

Armen Hovsepyan
Founder, TravelGyumri

Armen was born in 1988, trapped in a collapsed building the night of the devastating Spitak earthquake, and has spent much of his life working to improve conditions in his hometown of Gyumri. He studied in both Armenia and the US, receiving degrees as an interpreter, in journalism, and in public relations. In 2015, he became administrative coordinator for Gyumri Project Hope. This nonprofit was founded to analyze existing challenges and opportunities for the city and find solutions that target development and economic growth through tourism, urban renewal, and cultural development.

Armen founded Travel Gyumri, which focuses on Gyumri and the Shirak province. He is also an avid photographer and is working on a photo documentary about empowering young rural women who are bound by untouched traditions and strict rules. Armen works for the City of Gyumri, currently in the Mayor’s office. He is AiP's onsite Project Partner. 

Project Funders

Join the National Assoc. for Armenian Studies and Research and become a project sponsor to support Armenia’s traditional arts.

Cost

DBL Rm: US$1550
SGL Rm: US$1800

Discounts!

Join us for one adventure in preservation, and you’ll receive a 10% discount on all subsequent adventures.

Additional Cost Information

Costs are per person.

Your fee includes:

  • All ground transportation, including airport pick-up and drop-off

  • Lodging

  • All meals

  • Translator

  • Instruction

  • Excursions

All participants are responsible for:

  • Airfare to Yerevan, Armenia

  • Visa if required

  • Travel insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage. Send AiP proof of purchase.

Support Local

Your tour directly supports local communities by visiting family-run businesses and UNESCO sites as well as involvement in culturally significance arts.

 

 Gyumri, Armenia

Armenia’s Artisans & Ancient Stories

Project postponed Due to New, one of a kind archaeology project. Details & October 2024 dates to be announced soon!

Explore Armenia’s history while you learn hands-on traditional skills to support and preserve the country’s unique historic arts.

Journey through centuries of Armenia’s remarkable past, both tragic and beautiful. Visit sites and hear stories that take you from the 3rd century BC through the 20th century saga of Gyumri. Meet the friendly, resilient people of Armenia and work with artisans carrying on the long tradition of stone carving, dance, iron work and more.

This unique experience immerses you in all that is Armenian. Join our newly designed trip and explore Armenia’s history as we learn hands-on skills to support and preserve the country’s traditional arts. This tour focuses on the lively streets and excellent museums of Yerevan, the amazing landscapes beyond the city scattered with monasteries and traditional villages, and the intriguing variety of historic architecture, excellent restaurants, skilled artisans and ancient sites in and around Gyumri.

Visit Ancient Sites

Our Armenian partner, a native of Gyumri born 3 months before the 1988 earthquake, is your tour guide. His wealth of knowledge and invaluable insights provide you with an incomparable experience.

Tours include:

  • Echmiadzin Cathedral

  • Geghard monastery

  • 4th century Yereruyk basilica & honey tasting

  • 10th century caravanserai

  • St. Gregory the Illuminator hermitage

  • 3rd millennium BC citadel remains 

And much more!

Support Traditional Arts

Welcome creativity into your life as you learn from the masters of traditional arts. 

  • Stone carving classes will be led by the first woman to become a master carver in Armenia. She studied in Yerevan and will teach us the art of khach’k’ar, or cross stone, carving.

  • Mirage is Gyumri’s traditional dance company. The founder is dedicated to teaching dance to the younger generations, and we’ll have the opportunity to learn from him as well.

  • Linocut prints create beautiful artwork. We’ll learn from one of Gyumri’s leading artists, who specializes in linocuts.

  • Gyumri has been renowned for its ironwork for centuries. Meet a family devoted to continuing the art of decorative ironwork, so visible on historic architecture throughout the city. 

  • And, travel to Tsoghamarg to cook with Violetta. Enjoy an evening meal with her family and explore this picturesque village.

Your participation helps support both the artisans and the skills they perpetuate.

Join in the Revitalization of Gyumri

Gyumri has a new energy, seen and felt throughout the city. At the same time historic architecture and traditional arts are supported and valued. Be part of the renewal thirty-five years after the horrific Spitak earthquake. New shops, hotels and restaurants, updated infrastructure, and a spa built on the site of historic baths. All this while still showcasing some of the world’s most magical historic sites and traditional arts.

Disengage from your routine and let yourself dream and explore!

“My trip to Armenia was the most unique thing I’ve ever done. It gave me a new perspective on the world. While volunteering I got to meet many local families. They have suffered so much yet maintain their strength of spirit and generous attitude.”
— Lisa

Travel Highlights

  • Carefully selected hotels & restaurants, all costs and tips included in fee

  • Tours of UNESCO-listed sites

  • Classes with master artisans

  • Cooking class & dinner with a village family 

  • Small group with maximum of 10

  • Expert Travel Guide 

Travel Details

Flights to Armenia (not covered by your registration fee) arrive in Yerevan at Zvartnots International Airport. You will be met at the airport by the hotel shuttle. Lodging is covered by your fee beginning on Saturday night (May 18 or September 28) through Saturday of return to Yerevan (May 25 or October 5). A visa may be required depending on your country of origin. Travelers from the US generally do not need a visa.

Van will leave the hotel to begin touring at 10am Sunday morning.

This trip involves quite a bit of walking so be sure to bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. Temperatures in May and in late September range from average highs of 65F to average lows of 40F. Rain gear is recommended. 

A detailed Itinerary and Packing List will be sent after you register.

Conditions

  • Armenia is one of the safest countries for tourists

  • Gyumri elevation is 4952 feet.

  • Walking is often on cobblestones or uneven ground

Looking for a private tour for group of 5 or more?

If you would love to take this journey, but need different dates for your group of 5 or more, contact us. 

We will create a custom trip with options for change of dates and itinerary changes. Contact us for more details.